R65 Australian Geography

Flag of Australia

What do you know about Australia?

Quick Video on Australia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynHIlx5RgtI (10 minutes)

World Map

Where is Australia?

Today’s Standard SS6G12 The student will be able to locate selected features of Australia.

Essential Question: What makes Australia so unique?

Physical Features of Australia Australia has huge desert plains stretching across the country’s middle. It’s largest part has semi-arid (dry land) called the Outback It hasmilder climates along the southeastern and southwestern Coasts There are larger populations in the southern coastal regions, esp. on the east coast.

It is the world’s smallest and flattest continent Northern Australia has a tropical climate, rain forests, mangrove swamps, grasslands It is the world’s smallest and flattest continent The Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans surround Australia Gondwana Rainforest, Australia Evergreen tree that are can survive in saltwater

Return to our……. “Essential Question(s)” What are the major physical features of Australia, and where are they located on a map: Great Barrier Reef Coral Sea Ayers Rock Great Victoria Desert

Physical Regions of Australia

Indian Ocean Coral Sea Great Barrier Reef Pacific Ocean Ayers Rock “Uluru” Great Victoria Desert Pacific Ocean

Great Barrier Reef

Video on Barrier Reef (4 minutes) http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/oceans- narrated-by-sylvia-earle/oceans-barrier-reef

Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef. Coral reefs are made up of living organisms. They exist in the ocean. The Great Barrier Reef stretches over an area of almost 133,000 square miles. It is so vast that it can be seen from outer space. As the world’s largest living organism, the Great Barrier Reef has been labeled as one of the seven wonders of the world. It lies in the Coral Sea, off the northeast coast of Australia.

The Coral Sea

Ayers Rock “Uluru”

Ayers Rock Video (4 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biuYA54nb7Y

Ayers Rock Ayers Rock is a giant sandstone rock formation. It lies in central Australia. Ayers Rock has many waterholes, caves, and springs. The Aborigines believe Ayers Rock is sacred.

Great Victoria Desert

Great Victorian Desert The Great Victorian Desert is in southern Australia. It is vast, barren region with many small lakes and grasslands. It is the largest desert in Australia It is the third largest desert in the world

The Outback

The Outback Much of Australia is covered by the Australian Outback. It is a dry region that covers most of Australia’s interior. Temperatures in the Outback can be very hot. There is very little rain. Most of the soil is not good for farming. Harsh conditions and the lack of fertile farmland mean that very few people live in the Outback.

Return to our……. “Essential Question(s)” What are the major physical features of Australia, and where are they located on a map (Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Ayers Rock, and Great Victoria Desert)?

Coral Sea Great Barrier Reef Ayers Rock “Uluru” Great Victoria Desert